WSLL welcomes Annie Slacter, our new part time Library Assistant-Filer. In addition to filing looseleaf and treatise updates, Annie works at the Circulation Desk and in Document Delivery Services. She graduated from UW-Madison in December 2008 with a degree in Political Science and is currently deciding where to attend law school this fall.

Upcoming Legal Research Classes

On March 11 we’re offering a one-hour class covering tax web sites. On April 8 we’ll focus on Google Books Search and how to use it for legal research. For complete information about these and upcoming classes through July, please visit our Classes & Tours webpage.

Wi-Fi Now Available @ WSLL

WSLL users can now access the Internet wirelessly! Just stop by the Circulation Desk and ask for the Wi-Fi password, which changes daily. Wired access also remains available; if you don't have your own Cat5 ethernet cable you may sign one out from the Circulation Desk.

After Hours Service for Attorneys

Wisconsin Attorneys: Would you like the convenience of using the State Law Library later in the evening or on weekends? Subscribe now to our After Hours Service. A calendar-year subscription includes access to the library from 5pm to 10pm Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and a key fob for convenient entry into the building. As an After Hours subscriber, you’ll have access to the general library collection and all the electronic resources available on our public access PCs. You can also make photocopies and check out circulating library materials. Details and a 2009 application form are available on our After Hours Service webpage.

State Law Library program highlights services & resources for attorneys

In an effort to reach out to more small firm and solo practice attorneys in Wisconsin, the State Law Library has developed an hour-long program highlighting its resources and services, for presentation to local bar associations and other legal organizations. To date, audiences have included the bar associations in Buffalo, Dane, Green, Jackson, Pepin, Trempealeau and Winnebago Counties, and the Legal Association for Women located in Madison. Other local bar or legal associations interested in hosting this presentation may contact Connie Von Der Heide, Director of Reference & Outreach Services, at 608-266-1600 or connie.vonderheide@wicourts.gov.

This question has been swimming in my head for several weeks now. The Sunday big box sales flyers usually advertise one or two cooling stands for laptops, most under $50.00. Until recently, I had dismissed these items as useless, silly expenditures. Then my laptop started shutting down during critical sessions of Ms. Pac Man.

In searching for a reason, I noticed that the bottom of the laptop was very, very hot. Turns out gaming is one activity that heats up a laptop. Using a laptop as a desktop – i.e. all day use – is another way to risk overheating your machine. And then, some laptops simply don’t cool as well as others. High demand on the hard drive and CPU can lead to high temperatures, and heat is a bad thing for the health of a computer.

So maybe these laptop cooling stands do fall under the necessary accessory category, depending on your laptop and how you use it. Cooling pads can work to lower the temperature, and they can also serve as ergonomic devices, tilting the laptop to make typing and viewing easier. Some pads also include extra USB ports. With so many options out there, you will want to consider the make and model of your laptop and whether it needs extra cooling help. Two reviews online, one from CNET and another from Digital Life are worth reading.

In addition, there are some no-cost ways to help keep your laptop cool:

Remove clutter from around the laptop to allow for adequate air circulation.

Be cognizant of how many concurrent applications you are running.

Use the “hibernate” or “power save” mode for periods of inactivity.

Work away from sunny, hot areas.

Don’t place your laptop on soft surfaces which can block air circulation and introduce dust.